Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 375 - 211: Taking a Beating

Uncle Gu first went to the ancestral hall to ring the bell, a signal to summon the entire clan. No matter what you’re doing, every family must immediately send someone over.

"Hey? Isn’t that the bell from the Gu Family’s ancestral hall? What’s going on now?"

"No idea! Maybe some drama is brewing again, we do have a spectacle to watch!"

Gu Chengyu followed the clan elders and Uncle Gu into the ancestral hall, watching the Gu clan members slowly enter the courtyard. Only when everyone was inside did he close the main door, blocking the view from outside.

"I’ve called you all here today to make an announcement. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. The clan elders and I have discussed and formulated the clan rules. Today, I will read them out loud for everyone to hear. From now on, everyone must come here daily to memorize them until they’re well-learned."

"Clan rules? What’s this all about? We were doing fine before, why are we suddenly imitating big households?"

"Exactly, who has the patience to memorize all these tedious clan rules?"

Gu Chengyu observed the whispers among the clan members below. He knew that implementing clan rules wouldn’t be easy initially. These people had been undisciplined for too long; how could they suddenly adhere to clan regulations?

Uncle Gu read the clan rules word by word, and the murmurs below grew louder.

"Why are these clan rules so strict? Kneeling in the ancestral hall, getting beaten with sticks, and for serious offenses, being expelled from the clan. Isn’t that too unforgiving?"

"I think it’s fine. If you don’t make mistakes, how can you be punished?"

Some clan members found it harsh, while others were indifferent. After all, as ordinary folk, they didn’t have the means to commit misdeeds, right?

"Hey, Clan Leader! Gu Chengyi made a big mistake today. Will he be punished too? By your rules, he’d first get ten strikes!"

Some clan members didn’t take this seriously. Everyone knew Gu Chengyi was the second brother of the scholar. Would the clan really punish him? Perhaps these rules were just meant to restrain them.

"Indeed! Since the rules are established, Gu Chengyi must be punished for today’s incident." Uncle Gu sternly looked at the clan members below.

In the past, the Gu Family were merely peasants, and his role as clan leader wasn’t respected. They only came to him when matters arose. But now things were different; he needed to establish his authority, otherwise, it would be hard to gain respect.

Gu Chengyu watched and secretly nodded. Uncle Gu was dedicated to the clan, determined to elevate the status of the Gu Family under his leadership, ensuring its growth and prosperity. How could he let one bad apple spoil the whole barrel?

Uncle Gu indeed felt the same as Gu Chengyu predicted. As soon as he heard of the affair, he immediately considered expelling Gu Chengyi from the clan. However, he hesitated, realizing he was his own nephew and that Changqing would be reluctant, so he didn’t bring it up.

Moreover, with Gu Chengyu, the scholar, as support, he felt more confident.

The crowd below became chaotic, "Is he really going to be punished?"

"It seems it’s for real."

"Everyone, listen to me! Starting today, the clan rules will be officially enforced. As long as you’re a member of the Gu Family, you must follow the Gu Family’s rules, myself included. My second brother has disgraced our family’s reputation today, so he must be punished! If he remains unrepentant and repeats his mistakes, he will be expelled from the clan. If I ever disgrace our family, the clan has the right to punish me, and I won’t have any complaints."

Ming Mo and Ming Yan stood behind Gu Chengyu, who looked stern and sharp-eyed. The previously restless clan members quieted down.

Gu Chengyi, immobilized by two clan members, glared at Gu Chengyu above with bloodshot eyes, as if wishing to devour his flesh.

Mr. Gu watched Gu Chengyi, who was being restrained, his hands trembling. He knew the second son deserved punishment, but imagining him beaten half to death, he felt a pang of reluctance.

Gu Chengli hurriedly entered the ancestral hall. He had been accompanying Mrs. Fang to her brother-in-law’s in town, buying some things, unaware of the major incident at home.

Upon arrival, the villagers had already informed him of the situation. Squeezing to the front with great difficulty, he heard Uncle Gu shout out.

"Bring him up!"

Soon, Gu Chengyi was placed on a bench, his hands bound, held down by others, making any struggle futile.

Gu Chengli had never seen such a scene. He noticed Xiao Bao standing on the steps while his father stood silently beside him. He panicked, are they really going to beat him?

He hurried to Mr. Gu and exclaimed, "Father!"

Mr. Gu turned to see the anxious Gu Chengli, and held him down, "Don’t speak, we’ll talk at home. If you still consider me your father."

After saying this, Mr. Gu felt completely drained, relying on Gu Chengli’s sturdy frame to stand.

The person to deliver the punishment was yet to be decided. The clan members all lived in Shangling Village, frequently crossing paths; who would want to become the enemy?

Uncle Gu felt awkward too, unsure whom to ask. Those caught in his gaze instinctively stepped back, afraid to be called upon.

Since the rules had been set, a dedicated person for punishment duties in the ancestral hall was needed. Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment, deciding that finding a young man from within the clan was best. Of course, there must be a monthly salary; otherwise, who would want to do such a thankless task?

Gu Chengyu whispered a few words to Uncle Gu, who nodded repeatedly.

"Since the rules are established, we need someone in the ancestral hall to enforce them. Whoever takes this job, the clan will pay him two taels of silver monthly, as a salary. He will serve the clan, and those who perform well will be rewarded."

"What? Such a good deal? That’s two taels of silver monthly!"

Some doubted, while others eagerly stepped forward. With silver in the picture, who cared if it caused offense? Besides, it represented the clan’s punishment, not personal grudges. Truly, money moved hearts.

In the end, Uncle Gu picked four sturdy young men from among them to serve the clan. The others looked at them with both envy and jealousy.

Gu Chengyi initially thought no one would dare beat him, hoping to escape this time. Who knew, the fifth brother had such a shoddy idea, offering silver?

Every household had sturdy sticks used for carrying water.

With just the first strike, Gu Chengyi’s screams pierced the sky, causing some of the surrounding clan members to wince.

Uncle Gu glanced at Gu Chengyu standing beside him, whose face remained unchanged, not even blinking. Uncle Gu hesitated. Xiao Bao seemed like someone who valued relationships; he felt only someone like this would take care of the clan.

But today, watching Xiao Bao orchestrate for his own brother to be beaten, without batting an eye. Had he wrongly judged his heartlessness?

Then he shook his head, denying it. No! If he didn’t value relationships, Xiao Bao wouldn’t be so good to the family’s nieces. Even relatives like them, Xiao Bao assisted in finding ways to make a living. They not only benefited but also bought sacrificial fields for the clan, bringing tangible benefits to the clan members.